My Ideal Job Checklist
Think about what you would like to get out of YOUR ideal job – be honest!
Let’s concentrate on your personal goals and what makes YOU happy….
Circle the job characteristic that bests suits YOU.
Direct Contact with Horses
- I want to be hands on with horses on a daily basis
- I am happy to work hands on with the horses occasionally
- I do not need to have direct hands on contact with the horses while working
- I enjoy working with people
Work Location
- I would like to work mostly outdoors (this includes barns and arenas)
- I would like to work mostly indoors.
- I like a mixture of both indoor and outdoor work
- I don’t mind either way!
Work Hours
- I prefer a set work schedule and expect to be paid overtime for extra work time incurred
- I do not mind working “long days” but prefer no nights
- I am flexible and can work nights, weekends, irregular hours as required with out overtime pay
Travel and Relocation
- I would enjoy a job with frequent travel (including out of the country)
- I would enjoy occasional travel throughout the busy season
- I am not interested in travel
- I am able to relocate for the right job
- I am unwilling to relocate
Work Responsibility
- I like to solve problems on my own
- I prefer to be told exactly what to do and what is expected
- I prefer a set list of job duties
- I enjoy a variety of job duties
- I am uncomfortable making major business decisions
- I enjoy being given new responsibilities
- I prefer a regular paycheck that I can rely on
- I can manage my budget with an irregular or seasonal cash flow
- I am willing to invest personal wealth in starting my own business
- I am not willing to risk any money at this time
Make a ME list!
Before you dive into writing a resume – jot down a few notes about YOU – imagine having to sell yourself to someone. Include the following points:
- Skills and Knowledge (equine and non equine) as they relate to the job you want to apply for – include the business, communication and people skills that you have that will contribute to the smooth operation of a business
- Your work habits and attitude – Do you work well under pressure? Do you work well as part of a team? Are you a leader?
Write your resume!
- Name: Name, Address, Phone number and email (if it is professional) must be up to date and listed at top of page
- Objectives: 2 or 3 sentence summary of your background as it relates to your job goal OR a 1 line sentence to describe your goals
- Work Experience: include paid and non paid (volunteer) work
- Skills: as they pertain to the job you are applying for
- Education: include past and current studies and level attained
- Achievements: – other relevant accomplishments such as certificates, awards or special activities
Notes:
Let’s talk about email addresses – think about it. Who would you hire for your barn’s groom position?
lazeeass@myemail.com or showgroom@hotmail.com ?
Your email address may be funny to friends but does it create the right first impression?
Remember – Only use contact information that you can actually be reached at. Make sure you have voicemail on that phone number and that you check emails regularly.
You can organize your resume in one of two ways:
Chronological or Functional
Which resume style suits YOU?
Q Do you have a steady job history that is relevant to the job you are applying for?
A The most common resume style is a reverse chronological order – this lists your work experience beginning with your most recent or current job and working backwards.
Q Is your work history in the equine industry a bit scattered? Have you worked for several different employers in a short space of time? OR do you have a steady work history in a different kind of job NOT in the equine industry?
A A Functional Resume is better for you. A reverse Chronological resume might give the employer the wrong first impression and we all know that first impressions matter! A functional or skills resume organizes your skills and experience (both paid and unpaid) This kind of resume works best if you have only worked for one employer or when unpaid horse care, pony club, riding schools and school courses are your main sources of skills and experience. This kind of resume can highlight your horse care experience (care for your own horse, volunteer work at a riding school or your colleges school string); Equitation (lessons, Pony Club and show awards); Instruction (teaching younger pony club members, internships or work assisting with lessons); or business management (pony club treasurer, college or school projects, other work experience)
See the examples we have created for you:
In these examples we look at Susan Canter who is graduating from The University of Guelph this spring and wishes to find a job as a lab technician or an assistant manager at an equine breeding facility.
Susan worked her way through school and is including both her paid and non paid experience in her resumes in order to inform potential employers of the full scope of her experience.
Before deciding on a course at university, Susan talked to a veterinarian, Dr McFly, whom she accompanied out on rounds in order to gain experience and also talked to various managers of large breeding farms who she was able to contact through ads in local horse publications and online at www.HorseJobs.ca
EXAMPLE OF CHRONOLOGICAL RESUME
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SUSAN CANTER 123, Concession 1 Horseville, ON A1B 2C3 (416) 123-4567
Organised, detail- orientated horsewoman with 12 years of progressively more responsible horse care experience. Familiar with veterinary and laboratory procedures for natural and artificial breeding. Business skills in accurate record keeping, customer relations and inventory control.
EXPERIENCE2006 – Present Laboratory assistant, Guelph Stallion Station, Guelph, ON
2002 – 2004 Assistant sales manager, Tip Top Tack, Guelph, ON
1999 – 2002 Farm Caretaker, Ride Away Farms, Horseville, ON
1999 – 2002 Horseville Equine Clinic, Horseville, ON
EDUCATION Bachelor of Science, Veterinary Technology, with minors in Equine Studies and Business, Spring 2008, University Of Guelph, ON
REFERENCES Nigel McFly, Vet, Mentor (519) 121 1212 James Barner, Guelph Stallion Station Manager (519) 212 2112 Lisa Smith, Owner, Tip Top Tack Shop (416) 222 1122
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SAMPLE OF FUNCTIONAL RESUME
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SUSAN CANTER 123, Concession 1 Horseville, ON A1B 2C3 (416) 123-4567
OBJECTIVE Assistant manager/lab technician on large breeding farm
EXPERIENCEHORSE CARE * Assisting with both natural breedings and artificial insemination at university teaching facility standing eight breeding stallions * Temporary responsibility for complete care of stable of up to eight horses including broodmares, foals and yearlings while owner campaigned on show circuit for two seasons. * Stable Manager at numerous regional pony club rallies, including the 2002 national rally, while earning B-1 rating with the Guelph Gallopers Pony Club * Care of personal riding horse for over 12 years.
LABORATORY * Assisting with all laboratory procedures related to the breeding program at the university stallion station including sperm count, motility checks and chilling, extending and freezing semen for transport. * Fecal egg counts and laboratory maintenance for large equine practice. BUSINESS * Handling all shipping paperwork for transported semen from two stallions during the 2006 and 2007 breeding season * Assisting in meticulous maintenance of breeding records for eight stallions and proper filing of same with six breed associations. * Helping to develop automatic re-ordering system for high turnover tack shop inventory * Writing direct mail newsletter to support monthly in-store promotions
WORK HISTORY 2004 – Present Guelph Stallion Station, Guelph, ON 2002 – 2004 Tip Top Tack Shop, Guelph, ON 1999 – 2002 Ride Away Farms, Horseville, ON 1999 – 2002 Horseville Equine Clinic, Horseville, ON
EDUCATION Bachelor of Science, Veterinary Technology, with minors in Equine Studies and Business, Spring 2008, University Of Guelph, ON
REFERENCES Nigel McFly, Vet, Mentor (519) 121 1212 James Barner, Guelph Stallion Station Manager (519) 212 2112 Lisa Smith, Owner, Tip Top Tack Shop (416) 222 1122
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SAMPLE OF PROFESSIONAL COVER LETTER
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SUSAN CANTER 123, Concession 1 Horseville, ON A1B 2C3 (416) 123-4567 May 12, 2007
Mr. George Mann, G&G Breeding Facility, 4500, Racepark Way Calgary, AB. G0G 1G0
Dear Mr. Mann,
I am responding to your recent ad on HorseJobs.ca for an assistant broodmare manager at G&G Breeding Facility. I have long been aware of G&G Breeding Facility’s reputation for top quality equine care and it’s state of the art on site laboratory. For the past two years I have worked on the staff of the University of Guelph’s stallion station in Guelph, Ontario where I have learned about the daily management involved in breeding farms. My responsibilities for both laboratory work and breeding records increased significantly during this time. Several of my suggestions were incorporated into new forms adopted by the university last fall. As I approach graduation this year, I am keenly interested in continuing to work in the breeding industry. The enclosed resume details my skill and work experience. I would welcome an opportunity to meet you in person to discuss how my combination of lab training, horse care experience and business experience can make me a valuable member of your farm’s staff.
Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Susan Canter
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